The Empire Built on Fear
Chapter 10 - The Empire Built on Fear
Charles did not deny it.
Adrian confronted him in front of Rachel.
"I signed the papers," Charles admitted.
Adrian's face went cold.
"Why?"
"Because Victor threatened the company."
"Thousands of employees lost retirement money."
"I intended to replace it."
"With what?"
"Company profits."
Rachel shook her head.
"You hid a crime."
Charles looked at her.
"I know."
Adrian could barely recognize the man before him.
His entire childhood had been built around Charles Cole's rules.
Win.
Control.
Never show weakness.
Now Adrian saw the truth.
His father had spent his life terrified.
Terrified of scandal.
Terrified of losing money.
Terrified of being exposed.
"And Rachel?" Adrian asked.
Charles looked down.
"What about her?"
"Did you send her away because you were protecting me?"
Silence.
"Or because Victor threatened to expose you?"
Charles did not answer.
That was enough.
Adrian stepped back.
Rachel covered her mouth.
For eleven years, she had believed Charles rejected her because she was not good enough for his son.
The truth was uglier.
She had been sacrificed to protect an empire.
Adrian walked toward the window.
Everything he inherited suddenly felt contaminated.
The penthouse.
The private clubs.
The company.
Even the name Cole.
"Tomorrow," Adrian said, "we give everything to federal investigators."
Charles stared at him.
"You'll destroy the company."
"Maybe."
"Twenty thousand people depend on us now."
"And thousands trusted us with their pensions."
Charles rose.
"You could lose everything."
Adrian turned.
"I already lost eleven years with my son."
The room fell silent.
"I'm not losing myself too."
Rachel looked at Adrian differently then.
Not as the young man she had once loved.
As the man he had finally become.
But before anyone could speak again, Marcus entered.
"Victor's gone."
Adrian frowned.
"What?"
"His house is empty. His jet never filed a flight plan."
"Where is he?"
"We don't know."
Marcus glanced toward Eli's empty chair.
Then his face changed.
"Where's the boy?"
Rachel spun around.
"Eli?"
They searched the house.
His bedroom was empty.
May you like
The back door stood open.
And on the driveway lay the teddy bear.
